Water mint
Mentha aquatica

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 90 cm high. It has a thin rhizome. It can be smooth or hairy. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long. They have teeth around the edge. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. The flowers are at the top of the shoots. They are small and purple in 2-3 rings.

There are 25 Mentha species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in marshes and beside running water. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,300 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Caucasus, Chile, Croatia, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Pacific, Portugal, Rwanda, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

It is used for flavouring food. It gives a peppermint flavour. It is used with peas, potatoes, egg and cheese dishes and for meat. It is used to make a tea. It is also added to milk for flavouring.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, flavouring, leaves - tea, flowers - spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by cuttings

Its other names

Local names

Budi-nan, Dag nanesi, Herba sana, Hung lui, Koricha lega, Kurbaga nanesi, Marsh mint, Mayime, Orange mint, Patana, Pusi-nan, Pit'na, Su nanesi, Umuteekampengeri, Vodna meta, Yaban nanesi

Synonyms

Mentha hirsuta; Mentha x piperita var. citrata;